Class 4 PowerHouse Varina Takes on Class 5’s Hermitage.

Class 5 Hermitage High vs. Class 4 PowerHouse Varina is set to take place Friday, September 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. on the 5. Even though this is a non-regional matchup, there is plenty of history behind the Eastend and Westend programs. 

The matchup

The Varina Blue Devils (2-0-1) enter the game ranked No. 1 in the state of Virginia according to the latest Sports Illustraited high school rankings. Varina’s last game against Oscar Smith ended right before the half at a 7-7 tie due to lightning. 

Hermitage Panthers (2-1) have also gotten off to a strong start. The panthers fell short last week to Trinity Episcopal 20-12. Hermitage enters this game averaging 210 rushing yards per game.

Key players

For Hermitage, senior running back Jahson Allums has averaged 71.3 rushing yards per game, while senior quarterback Myles Brooks has played a big role for the panthers on both offense and defense. Senior defensive back Terrell Lewis also has 2 picks on the year.

For the Blue Devils, everyone wants to know if senior quarterback Kaleb Wyche will play in Varina’s homecoming game. If he’s unable to go, junior Braylon Jones will look to lead this experienced group to a victory. Varina’s defense is a force. Seniors R.J. Hudson and K. Patterson lead the powerful defensive line. Makhi Sampson has been a tackling machine at linebacker. Senior UVA commit Sair Rex and UofR commit Zion B. look to lock down the corners.

The biggest question for Hermitage will be whether its rushing attack can move the ball against a Varina’s defense that has already faced elite competition back-to-back down in the 757. 

To add some fire to the matchup, Varina scheduled this game as their homecoming and the series is tied 12-12 through their first 24 meetings from 2005–2025.

Blessed Line: Varina should dominate Hermitage. I’ve seen both teams more than twice, and honestly Hermitage just doesn’t have enough to hang with the number 1 team in the state.

Blessed Prediction & Parlay: 

Varina -14 (Cover)

Varina o4 sacks

Varina o2 Interceptions

Hermitage u100 rushing yards